A Memorable Celebration

It was a night to remember. That’s what Marco Dementia Respite is all about, remembering for those who no longer can, and remembering, honoring, and mitigating the endless, wearying, and often lonely work done by the caregivers of family members dealing with dementia. 

Tuesday evening at Hideaway Beach Club, though, was all smiles and laughter as Marco Dementia Respite (MDR) held a fundraising gala to support their efforts. About 150 guests sipped, dined, mingled, heard from MDR co-founder and board chair Tim Rose and others, and bid on live auction items before turning the program over to a well-received stand-up/musical floorshow. 

Rose informed the audience that “2025 will be a pivotal year for MDR.” After benefitting from space provided by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, MDR’s growth and expanded program demanded more time slots and larger facilities. While MDR is grateful to St. Mark’s, the church’s own programs made it impossible for MDR to offer their services more than two days a week.

“We never knew how big MDR would get,” said Rose. “We have seen a tremendous growth spurt in the last several months. We need more days of service and to offer more services. We had to go out and look for a permanent home for MDR.” 

The good news, Rose told the assemblage, is “we found one” – no small feat on Marco Island, where office and commercial space is tight. The group will continue to hold its sessions for caregivers and “clients,” or dementia patients, at St. Mark’s through some time in the fall of 2025 and then move into 2,800 square feet at the new NCH campus at the corner of Bald Eagle and San Marco. 

“It has all the services we need under one roof, with tons of storage. There is a program room for clients, a kitchen, a lunchroom, and intimate spaces for private meetings.” MDR will take over upstairs offices in the existing building at the NCH campus. The improvements are expected to cost in the neighborhood of $300,000. 

Guests at the gala also heard moving testimony from MDR stalwart Susan Gardner, laying out her personal journey through losing her beloved husband. 

“Joe brought life into the room whenever he entered,” she said. “As Alzheimer’s took hold, it took away pieces of the man I knew. Nobody should have to face Alzheimer’s alone.” She teared up as she finished speaking and was enveloped in a group hug from nearby friends, making her point. Helping remember those lost to dementia was a booklet titled “Forget Me Not” distributed to attendees, filled with tributes to those, including Joe Gardner, who have succumbed to dementia in its various forms. 

With the importance of the group’s work and the need for funds to carry it out established, auctioneer Jay Zeager took over. After a “test run” raising paddles, he took bids on lots, including dinners for 12 by hideaway Chef Tim and a bracelet valued at $4,800 donated by Avi Kathein of Kathein Jewelers. This was followed by an “auction of the heart,” with participants giving money with nothing tangible in return. 

The evening concluded with a “really big shew” emceed by…Ed Sullivan? The legendary CBS-TV host was channeled by comedian and musician George Trullinger, who bore a striking resemblance to the original and had his mannerisms down pat. Aided by Tim Stamper as the Big Bopper, Trullinger did a double as Buddy Holly, showing off some serious guitar chops, before the duo came back a third time as the Blues Brothers. 

Tuesday’s gala was a solid success, but MDR isn’t done yet. On March 23, the group will hold a second celebration, this time at Island Country Club, which can accommodate a larger crowd than Hideaway. Tickets can be purchased for $200 by calling Carolee Levison at 239-398-8071.